Some family secrets are deadly…Inventorying human remains can be difficult at the best of times without a creepy security guard hovering over Maddie Foster’s shoulder. Nervous about being stuck in the crypt with the strange man, Maddie asks a friend of a friend to drop by and pretend to be her boyfriend to force the guy to back off.Raptor operative Josh Warner recently moved to Oregon to take … over as guardian to his troubled niece and open a new private security branch in the Pacific Northwest. Josh doesn’t hesitate to help Maddie and is intrigued by the brainy museologist. His protective nature kicks into high gear as he discovers she may be in very real danger.Tensions run hot in the summer heat as Josh’s work puts everyone he cares about at risk, and Maddie’s research into the museum collection raises questions better left buried. As their city teeters on the precipice of violence, Josh and Maddie find themselves embroiled in a deadly scheme that could reshape the nation.
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I cannot get enough of Rachel Grant’s books! Tainted Evidence had me on the edge of my seat. The action was as off the charts as the chemistry between Maddie and Josh. Highly recommend this whole series (and book one is free right now!)
Rachel Grant writes stunning Romantic Suspense novels that tackle the hardest issues. Tainted Evidence is an excellent addition to the Evidence series!
This is a timely entry into the Evidence series since it has as the background racial protests and looks at a lot of the laws on the books that we now understand are unfair and make truly equal treatment an impossibility. This is a fun thriller, as Grants’ stories always are.
Tainted Evidence by Rachel Grant was another awesome addition to this series featuring the Raptor Security Service operatives. I cannot tell you how much this book made me think about the current issues that are leading headlines currently throughout are country. Ms. Grant’s attention to detail and thorough research was enlightening and thought provoking.
Josh and Maddie were both strong characters that Ms. Grant brought to life with their thoughts and actions throughout the book. Josh’s niece, Ava, was a delight as her actions and words often provided humor to cut the dramatic tension. I liked her in spite of her typical teenage attitude some of the time. The action barely stopped long enough for me to catch my breath and the twists I never saw coming because this plot was so complicated. Surprises, family dysfunction, racial discrimination, both past and present, and some truly love inspired hot smexy times kept me turning the pages until I reached the end.
The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ms. Grant pulled no punches in her latest book Tainted Evidence even more so than in any other of her previous books. As it is her signature she wrote about current social issues which could be a trigger for readers that are sensitive about social themes such as bigotry, abuse of power, white supremacy, gender, sexuality, racism, and the constant injustice and disrespect towards the Native American culture in every time period.
The story starts when Maddie Foster, museologist and the story’s heroine gets a unique and interesting job at a museum that closed so that the property could be sold after she analyzes and classifies Native American remains and burial artifacts that were stolen from Native American lands during the late 1800’s. She is determined to find the original land from where the Natives American remains were stolen from and to repatriated them. Her investigation finds ties between the thievery and white supremacist roots to powerful families including the founder of the museum in which she was working. The story’s hero, Josh Warner, a retired Navy SEAL and Raptor operative, aids Maddie by pretending to be her boyfriend in front of the museum’s creepy guard and descendant of the museum’s founder which initiates Maddie and Josh twisted journey of terror and betrayal at the hands of the white supremacist.
This story was ok. I found myself in and out of engagement with the story. I think it has to do with the racial content of the story. Right now, with everything going on in the US it feels like more of the same unrest. As usual this is very well written, and the characters are amazing. I think if this had been released any other time I would love it.
It was a good story but there was too much preaching, especially about abortion. The situation set up in the book would never have happened even before Rowe vs Wade. Caused me not to enjoy the book nearly as much as I would have otherwise.
Another taunt, fascinating romantic suspense story from this author, with her usual heavy dash of archeology and history! One of the reasons I read every one of Rachel Grant’s books is for those glimpses of anthropology, archeology, and cultural history. And this book is no exception to that, taking us inside the world of the indigenous people of the northwest United States and the crimes committed against them in the past and present. At the same time, we get to know better Raptor operative Josh Warner, sent out to Portland, Oregon to start not just a new Raptor office but a new life as the guardian to his beautiful yet tragically damaged niece. He has a more than worthy love interest in Madeline Foster, an expert who is cataloging the remains and funerary objects from the raided graves of indigenous people. The roller coaster ride these two go on in this book is intense and not always smooth! Be warned, this is not your usual romantic suspense read.
That said, this book contains very intense actions by villains that are all too real. The story totally touches upon events that are happening right now in our world, and the realism of that alone is scary. I have seen reviews that mention Ms. Grant is “preachy” in this book. There is an aspect of that, I suppose, but I did not find it detracting from the story. I will say the author throws a lot of race, religious and gender-identity issues into this book to give what I interpreted as a realistic view of our society today. As much as I like that realism, it sometimes felt like the author was throwing them into the story for the sake of having those issues in the book; It felt like she had a list of what she wanted to include in the book and crammed it in. But the importance of those issues in general, and to the author and the story, make them worth the inclusion. If anything, it made this book Ms. Grant’s most powerful “Evidence” book to date in the series! I, for one, am looking forward to the next one!
Tainted Evidence is well into Rachel Grant’s Evidence Series as book number ten. It has all the thrills, tough and complex characters and intriguing plots as the previous books in the series. The Raptor Security operatives have taken over with Josh Warner moving to Oregon to open a new office and become a guardian of his teenage niece. It’s not long before he is a pretend boyfriend to Maddie Foster.
What should have been a normal case of inventorying old human remains turns into a dangerous and suspenseful story that could be taken from current events. The plot is tightly structured with unforeseen complications which twists and turn in the story keeping it unpredictable while hold your complete attention. I had no idea that the study of bones could be so interesting but did think that they could become political. The science is fascinating and the romance is appealing.
If you are a fan of Pamela Clare, Katie Reus’ contemporary romance or Kaylea Cross then Rachel Grant’s Evidence Series is a must read for you. Reader who enjoy a thrilling well-written romantic suspense will love her stories.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Maddie is a friend and colleague of Trina. She has been given the assignment to identify and inventory a morbid collection of human remains from a private museum. The guy in charge is an absolute charmer – NOT. He gives off a very arsy, white-is-right-vibe and Maddie does not feel safe with him. She puts out an SOS to Trina and before she knows it her knight appears!
Josh leapt at the chance to grow Raptor in the Pacific Northwest. He kept his job and managed to move across the country to look after his teenage nice after his dip^%*& of a brother lands himself in jail. A quick friendy check on Trina’s friend should be a breeze. But what starts as a fake boyfriend assignment turns into a bonafide bodyguard assignment when someone takes too much interest in Maddie and her work.
This story could not be more timely. White Supremacists, racial profiling, theft of tribal artefacts, reprehensible folk with too much money and not enough humanity. Ms Grant must have had her crystal ball tuned! More than enough strands to keep you busy. The love story is very strained as both have a reason not to get involved but I loved their solution!
An amazing series and well worth a read!
Rachel Grant’s series are like a learning experience along with usually having real world issues at the forefront. On the learning aspect the main character was a museologist of which I had never heard of and the second was the word doxing. Once I look up the definition of doxing, turns out I did know its meaning just had never heard of that word. And for this book the real world issue was here in States. The deeply rooted white supremacy groups in Oregon. As this book takes place in Oregon the white nationalist groups rallies are a part of the story.
I am always both fascinated and totally engaged with her stories. Raptor operative Josh Warner was an intriguing character with some unique baggage from his past that he has let define what type of man he is now and how Maddie Foster the museologist he asked to protect changes him to an even better man by the end of the story.
This was a minute coming but worth the wait. In this one Maddie has a interesting job but creeps will follow it seems. Whom she asks to help the friend or soon to be Josh has a full plate but she intrigues him also. Then again he also in his new branch and what he has taken on picks our interest also. His warnings he is picking up is spot on because there seems to be trouble afoot and danger lurking. Things will also build in bigger proportions that will effect if possible the nation. So with all of this adventure going on how could you let go. Wanting to see also how the heat will effect the two oh my. Did not let this one get put down until the last page.
A Spectacular Suspense Romance .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through Netgalley of Tainted Evidence . I found this story outstanding a sensational . It is so inspiring in these times of unrest . I found this story suspenseful , action packed . It really keeps your full attention .
It’s definitely heart wrenching and very emotional . I really enjoyed reading it .
I think it’s more than five star read . The story is well written with fantastic characters .an intense, pulse pounding romance . I highly recommend taking the time to read . Hats off to Rachel Grant .
Another great read by this author that is full of details and descriptions that makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it.
Josh, a Raptor operative, moves to Portland to take over guardianship of his teenage niece and to open a new Raptor office in the area. He gets a call from Trina, the wife of his best friend and CEO of Raptor, to help out her friend, Maddie, who is being harassed at a site she is working on.
Maddie is intimidated by Troy, the man who is overseeing her work, and calls her best friend for help, sending Josh to come to her rescue and pretend to be her boyfriend to get Troy to back off. The sparks are immediate and the two don’t mind playing the fake relationship up.
Josh has a lot on his plate, his niece, his friends, his opening of the new office trying to get contracts and doesn’t think he has time for a relationship, or to start one but Maddie may be all worth it….as long as outside influences don’t hinder their budding relationship.
This read has it all, steam, lust, love, betrayals, suspense, lies, twists and turns, family, friends, surprises and great characters. Once again this author delivers details that are spot on and very informative that I was not lost once with all the jargon and history, that was explained thoroughly. There were also some sensitive issues that were handled with care and delicacy as it all tied into the story, interweaving seamlessly. I LOVED how Josh was vulnerable at times and showed his emotions w/o putting up a front because he was a man. I LOVED how the two navigated around his niece, and were able to deal with all that entailed her, with compassion and love. I LOVED how strong Maddie was, sticking up for herself and not mincing words or playing games with Josh.
The twist and turns, betrayals and surprises were throughout and the read and the ending when it all comes to a head….didn’t see that one coming. An amazing read that was worth the wait and can’t wait for the next one!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
This book was jam packed full of romance and suspense. Josh is a protector and care giver who doesn’t think twice about moving across the country to become the guardian for his niece. Maddie is a museologist who is tasked with inventorying the human remains in the crypt below the Kocher’s Museum to determine if they should be repatriated or can be moved to the Columbia Legacy Museum. Only thing is the guard is so creepy, she feels the need for someone to know where she’s at in case something happens. Enter Josh as her “boyfriend” and her getting a kiss from him at their first meeting.
While there is a definite attraction between Josh and Maddie, he knows that between being a guardian to Ava (his niece), finding clients for the new office, and mentoring Owen, he has little time to devote to a romance. However, he is concerned about Maddie’s safety and they keep in check with almost nightly phone calls. As the story progresses, we learn that both have family issues that impact their current lives.
In addition to the romance, there are several other story lines that are interwoven and will keep you reading to see what will happen next, and how everything is tied together. There are some definite surprises along the way. Chase is an interesting character brought into this story and hopefully we’ll get to read his story at some point.
An awesome blend of history, mystery, murder and mayhem but with love as one of the overriding elements in a couple, in a new uncle/niece relationship and how some families have an element that will never love anyone but themselves and their agendas. Loved it!!
4.5 stars
Maddie is tasked with inventorying human remains possibly stolen from Native lands-who knew bone laws could be so fascinating?!-while dealing with the family museum’s horrid excuse for a guard. She calls her bestie to send her backup and in walks Raptor operative Josh, her new fake boyfriend.
Josh has moved to Oregon to take custody of his 17 year old niece and open a new branch for Raptor security. With all that and his volunteer work, the last thing he needs is to fall for the girl he’s supposed to be helping on the side while fake-dating her!
Tainted Evidence was a jam-packed story! I loved the variety of relationships explored, the character dynamics, and the strong leads. The story also touches on a lot of current day issues, like personal consent, stolen bones from Native lands, white supremacy, media perception, corrupt police, family legacies, abuse of politics, and black lives. It’s a lot to absorb, yet Grant seamlessly wove everything together so well that I didn’t feel inundated by the information given.
If you like Pamela Clare’s I-Team series I’d highly recommend reading the Evidence series.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and this is my honest review.
4 stars
I really don’t know how to explain this story. Some of it really confused me because I had no idea what was going on. You have action, mystery, and sexual tension. It did keep me on the edge of my seat and was totally shocked by the end.
Maddie, a museologist, is documenting bones in a private museum because they are being moved to another and she must figure out if they are Native American so they can be repatriation. When the owner and great grandson of the museum gives her the creeps, she calls her best friend to see if she could send a bodyguard. Josh is a former SEAL and now part of RAPTOR. He moves to Oregon to raise his niece and open a new branch of the private security company. When Josh’s work spills into his personal life, he’ll do anything to keep his women safe. When Josh ghosts Maddie, right when she needs him most, will she forgive him?
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *